First Night of 2009 National Golden Gloves Tournament

Jamal James started the Circle of Discipline Amateur Boxing team out tonight competing in the light welterweight division (141 lbs) against Deondrae Malvin from the Mid-South Golden Gloves region. The first round was a bit slow. Jamal was taking his time finding his rhythm and timing by popping his jab keeping Deondrae at the end of his reach. In the second round Jamal picked up the action by keeping busy, staying sharp utilizing the jab more with combinations added to it. Deondrae was having a hard time finding Jamal and would end up smothering some of his punches. In the final round both boxers came out with everything they had. Jamal was much sharper and more precise with his punches, while Deondrae still was having a hard time finding his timing. At the end of the round Jamal said he felt great and wasn’t tired. He felt he could’ve thrown more combinations and that he was smothering some of his punches as well. He knows he will only improve now that he got the first night jitters out of the way. Jamal won the bout and advances to Wednesday night competition.

Javontae will start his tournament tomorrow. Stay tuned to the blog for further details on the Circle of Discipline Boxing Team.

Region I City Golden Gloves Tournament

Circle of Discipline will be competing in the 2009 Region I City Golden Gloves tournament Saturday, March 14th at Uppercut Gym 1324 Quincy Street NE in Minneapolis. The doors open at 5pm and the show begins at 6pm. Tickets are $12. Come support the Circle of Discipline Amateur Boxing team as they compete in advance to the 2009 Upper Midwest Golden Gloves Tournament.

Ireland vs. USA

Javontae Starks (152 lbs) was recently chosen to represent the United States in an international dual against Dublin, Ireland. Javontae left Feb. 18th with his coach, Sankara Frazier, to the Olympic Training Camp in Colorado Springs, CO for a week of training before the dual. On Feb. 24th Javontae left Colorado Springs, CO headed for Dublin, Ireland, while coach Sankara Frazier returned home to get the rest of the team ready for the upcoming Region I City Golden Gloves, state USA and state Junior Olympic tournament later this month.

Javontae competed on Friday, Feb. 27th against Willie McLoughlin. Javontae had a point taken away for using his shoulder to push off his opponent and lost the bout by decision. The final score was 15 – 10. Javontae competed again on Sunday, March 1st against Roy Sheahan on Sunday. Javontae lost by decision with the final score being 8 – 3.

Javontae is now on his way home and will be back at the Circle of Discipline training for the Golden Gloves and USA tournament. Good job Javontae we are all proud of your hard work and training.

Finals 2008 National PAL Tournament

Well, I don’t even know where to begin or how to begin with the results from last night’s Championship bouts. Jamal James started the evening off competing against Emmanuel Robles from Imperial Beach, CA in the Open 141 lbs weight division. Emmanuel was shorter than Jamal and a south-paw. The height difference was to Jamal’s advantage but the south-paw could have posed a problem for Jamal. The first round was an awesome round for Jamal. The fact that Emmanuel was a south-paw didn’t bother Jamal at all. He kept his jab sticking the entire time and added combinations to the jab. He was cautioned once in the first round for slapping.

The second round began and Jamal made sure to keep his movement to the left, which makes it harder for a south-paw to throw punches and catch their opponent. Jamal threw a beautiful short straight right to Emmanuel, which dropped him and gave him an 8-count. Many people wouldn’t recognize the power of the punch that Jamal threw because they don’t understand the art of the sport, but luckily for me, I’ve been trained and studied under one of the best coaches in the nation and saw the effect of the punch right away. Jamal also landed a beautiful left hook on the side of Emmanuel’s face, which made Emmanuel stubble into the ropes. Unfortunately, the referee didn’t see it as a left hook but a slap and gave Jamal a warning for slapping, after only giving him one caution for slapping.

A quick amateur boxing rule for everyone. When a referee gives a warning to a boxer, that boxer’s opponent receives two points. So Jamal received a warning for slapping; Emmanuel received two extra points. Now just another fact for everyone. Officials that are judging the bout do not have to agree with the referee’s call and can put an “X” on the score card; therefore not giving the other boxer two points.

The third round began and Emmanuel decided he was not going to come after Jamal but do his best to keep his distance from him. He didn’t want to feel those sharp, hard punches that Jamal continued to land throughout the round. Jamal threw body combinations and then would go to the head with a nice jab. The fourth round began and Jamal was stalking Emmanuel the entire round. Emmanuel did land some good punches and received some points for those punches but it wasn’t enough to win the bout. Well that is what I thought and everyone else at the tournament, including other officials, who weren’t judging the bout, doctors, boxers, coaches and spectators. But unfortunately, the officials judging the bout saw something completely different and gave the gold medal and belt to Emmanuel Robles leaving the Silver medal for Jamal. It was one of those moments that made you very disappointed in the officials working the bout.

Javontae ended the night competing against Errol Specnce from Desoto, TX. Errol recently won the Under 19 tournament in August in Kansas City, MO and will be representing the United States in international competition in Mexico. Errol is also a south-paw.

The first round started and Javontae was throwing his jabs and combinations but kept moving to the right. You definitely do not want to move to the right when you are boxing a south-paw because it makes it much easier for them to land their punches and gain points. Javontae did switch up his movement during the first round and started moving to the left which made it harder for Errol to catch Javonate with scoring punches.

The second and third round were good rounds for both boxers but Javontae wasn’t at his best. He was having a hard time catching Errol with clean sharp punches. Errol was landing more scoring blows but he made sure to keep as far away from Javontae as possible, because he definitely didn’t want to get caught with anything.

The fourth round was the best round out of all of them for Javontae. He was catching Errol with some beautiful combinations and his movement was fast, which made it hard for Errol to keep away from those punches. Errol received the gold medal and the belt and Javontae was awarded the silver medal. Javontae lost the bout with a 5 – 0 decision. It was a good bout and Errol did win the bout. We wish him the best of luck in Mexico

So the Circle PAL Amateur Boxing team will bringing home a bronze medal and two silver medals. Unfortunately, Jamal and Javontae will not be representing the National PAL team at the USA National tournament in June of 2009 but they did great throughout the entire tournament along with Francisco and are still bringing home medals. Congratualtions to all three of them and have a safe trip home. Everyone is proud of your accomplishments

One more thing, be sure to keep your eye on YouTube. If you do a search on YouTube under Jamal, Javontae and Francisco’s name their bouts should come up from the 2008 National PAL tournament. It may be a few weeks but they will be on YouTube. I will be sure to post it on our blog once I know they are on YouTube.

Semi-Finals Update 2008 National PAL Tournament

What a night, What a night!!!!!

Jamal James started it off again for the Circle PAL Amateur Boxing team competing against Donte Strayhorn in the Open 141 lbs division. Jamal boxed Donte earlier this year at the Platinum Gloves in Orlando, FL and beat him, so this was a rematch for Donte. Jamal looked beautiful all three rounds, throwing combinations and jabs at Donte all three rounds. At one point Jamal sat down and let loose a combination that stopped Donte in his tracks. Donte was doing his best to stay in the bout trying to come through Jamal’s combinations and putting the heat on Jamal by moving forward, which didn’t work at all for him. Donte ended up getting an eight count in the first round from Jamal walking straight into a beautiful combination Jamal threw. Jamal won the bout with a 5 – 0 decision and advanced to the finals this evening.

Javontae Starks ended the evening for the Circle PAL Amateur Boxing team competing against a hometown boxer from Oxnard, CA, Abraham Lopez in the Open 152 lbs division. So you already know the crowd was thick for Abraham. However that didn’t phase Javontae at all. He started the bout off throwing jabs and landing every single one. In the second round Javontae’s coach, Sankara Frazier, told Javontae turn the heat up on the body shots and get in close. What a round that was!! Javontae was landing damaging body shots to Abraham. I was surprised that Abraham could continue after the second round. The third round Javontae came out utilizing his jab again keeping Abraham at a distance for the first part of the round and ending the round working in close again with awesome body punches and uppercuts. Javonte won the bout with a 5 – 0 decision and advanced to the finals this evening.

We are now down to one ring, so I will be free to watch both Championship bouts. I forgot to grab the bout sheet this morning at weigh-ins to let everyone know who their opponents are this evening. I know Javontae will be competing against a boxer from Texas and Jamal is competing against a boxer from California. I will be sure to have the correct information of their opponents and the outcome of the championship bouts for the last update, so stay tuned.

Oh yeah, don’t forget to continue to send that positive energy, thoughts and prayers their way for this evening competition .

4th Day 2008 National PAL Update

The Circle had two boxers compete in last night’s competition, Francisco Solis-Noyola, Jr. and Javontae Starks. Francisco started the evening off for the Circle PAL Amateur Boxing team competing in the semi-final bout against Victor Pasillas from East Los Angeles, CA. Both of these boxers competed in the Intermediate (15 – 16 yrs) Junior Division at 114 lbs. Francisco started the bout out looking great. Victor was shorter than Francisco, which gave Francisco the upper hand with his reach. He utilized his jab to keep Victor on the outside but as the rounds progressed Francisco began to get tired and let Victor get past his jab, which made it hard for Francisco to land points because his punches were smothered. Francisco received a Bronze medal last night losing the bout to Victor by decision. It was Francisco’s first time competing in the National PAL tournament and he did great coming home with a Bronze medal. Congratulations Francisco .

Javontae Starks ended the evening for the Circle PAL Amateur Boxing team competing against Alex Martin from Joliet, IL in the Open 152 lbs weight division. Alex was a little shorter than Javontae, which was another benefit for Javontae. He was catching Alex with nice sharp jabs but did not throw his right or left as much as he could’ve. Javontae won the quarter-final bout with a 3 – 2 decision and advanced to the semi-finals.

Tonight Jamal James and Javontae Starks will be competing in the semi-finals. I am fortunate enough again to have both boxers competing in my ring, so I will have the opportunity to watch their entire bout and take good notes for everyone .

Jamal will start the evening off competing in the Open 141 lbs division against Donte Strayhorn from Cincinnati, OH. Jamal competed against Donte before and beat him so he feels confident that he will be able to get through this bout with ease, but he did say, “never under estimate your opponent.” Javontae will end the evening competing against Abraham Lopez from Oxnard, CA. Coach Sankara said, “Abraham looks all right but it should be an easy win for Javontae, however the fact that Abraham is from Oxnard will make it a little tough for Javontae so he needs to leave no doubt in the officials mind this evening and let his punches go. No holding back tonight.”

Both boxers feel confident and are ready for this evening. So again, be sure to send all your positive energy, thoughts and prayers their way

Stay tuned for tonights update tomorrow afternoon.

Third Day of 2008 National PAL Tournament

What an awesome night of competition last night (Wednesday, Oct. 1st). Francisco Solis-Noyola was to compete against Caleb Orozco from Sacramento, CA, however Caleb was medically disqualified and Francisco advanced to the semi-finals tonight (Thursday, Oct. 2nd). Francisco will be competing againist Victor Pasillas from East Los Angeles, CA.

Jamal James competed against Anthony Walker from Cincinnati, OH. All three rounds were packed with awesome action from both boxers. I had the opportunity to actually watch Jamal compete last night. All three rounds were very busy for both boxers. Jamal did an awesome job utilizing his jab and right. As long as he kept his jab busy he was able to keep Anthony at a distance and catch him with strong punches and gain points. His combinations were beautiful and strong throwing straight rights and left hooks after his jabs. It kept his opponent a little confused at times. The third round Jamal started slowing down a bit, which allowed his opponent to catch up with him on points. Jamal wasn’t utilizing his jab and reach to keep Anthony at a distance as much as he should have. Jamal won the bout on a split decision and advances to the semi-finals on Friday, Oct. 3rd. He has the night off this evening.

Javontae Starks had the night off last night but not tonight. He will be competing against Alex Martin from Joliet, IL. On Tuesday, Sept. 30th Javontae competed against Terrance Jarmon from Cincinnati, OH, which he won and advanced to tonights competition. That same night Jamal competed against Luis Borrego from Tucson, AZ and advanced to last night’s competition, which he won and advances to the semi-finals on Friday, Oct. 3rd.

The great news about this night competition is that both boxers, Francisco and Javontae are competing in the ring that I am officiating in so I will be able to watch both bouts. I will not be able to judge or referee either of their bouts because that of course would be a conflict of interest and could you imagine the drama it would cause with other coaches . So I will be sure to take excellent notes and give everyone an update on the blog website tomorrow afternoon.

Don’t forget to send positive energy, thoughts and/or prayers to our boxers, Francisco and Javontae this evening and stay tuned for the outcome

Preliminary 2008 PAL National Update

Hey Circle Fans,

The Circle PAL Amateur Boxing team has been performing awesome thus far. Jamal James is competing in the Open Senior division at 141 lbs, Javontae Starks is competing in the Open Senior division at 152 lbs and Francisco Solis-Noyola is competing in the Junior Intermediate division at 114lbs. Jamal is a returning champion competing to keep his 2007 Championship PAL National Title.

Jamal and Javontae started competion on Monday, Sept. 29th. Jamal competed against Jonathon Candido from Las Vegas, NV. Unfortunately I do not have any details of this boxing match because I was busy judging or refereeing. However, I do know that he won by decision and advanced to Tuesday, Sept. 30th competition.

Javontae Starks competed against Marquis Moore from Capital Heights, MD. Again, I do not have any details of his boxing match because of my officiating duties but I know that he won by decision and advanced to Tuesday, Sept. 30th competition also.

On Tuesday Jamal competed against a boxer from Arizona, unfortunately I misplaced my bout sheet so I do not have details at this time on his opponent’s name or where he is from. I will get that information this evening and be sure to update the blog. I also don’t have any details on his bout because once again my officiating duties have taken over . Jamal did win his bout by decision and advanced to Wednesday, Oct. 1st competition.

Javontae also competed on Tuesday against a boxer from Ohio. I wish I had more information about his opponent but unfortunately I will have to update that information later. Javontae did give his opponent at least two 8 counts throughout the bout, which I was able to see during the breaks of my rounds that I was judging . Javontae won his bout by decision and advances to the quarter-finals on Thursday, Oct. 2nd. Javontae has the day off on Wednesday.

Francisco Solis-Noyola has had the first two days of competition off, so he has been our camera man taping Jamal and Javontae’s boxing matches. Francisco is to begin competition Wednesday, Oct. 1st. Unfortunately, Francisco’s opponent has caught the flu and was medically disqualified, so Francisco won Wednesday’s competition by a walkover and advances to the quarter-finals on Thursday, Oct. 2nd.

So tonight our only boxer competing will be Jamal James. Be sure to send positive energy, thoughts and prayers his way. I am confident he will do great this evening and advance to the quarter-finals. I will be sure to update everyone tomorrow on this evenings competition.

2008 Ringside World Championship Final Results

Out of the nine boxers that the Circle took to compete in the tournament, we brought home three champions. Anthony Thoen had to compete twice in the Junior Novice division and he came out throwing jabs constantly and mixing it up with a few combinations. He brought home the championship belt after only having two amateur boxing bouts. What a huge accomplishment. Javontae Starks competed for four days. The championship bout was the toughest for Javontae. It was a rematch against Sammy Vasquez Jr. Javontae competed against Sammy at the 2008 National Golden Gloves tournament in Grand Rapids, MI and lost to him by decision. It was a four round bout that went the distance. Both of these boxers were giving it their all exchanging combinations to the bitter end. Javontae won the bout with a 2/1 split bringing home the 2008 Championship belt. Jamal James also had to compete for four days. His best boxing match was the semi-finals against Scott Bradley from Pittsburgh, PA. Jamal’s style was perfect. His punches were strong, sharp and on point. He utilized his reach the entire time keeping Scott at a distance. His movement was fast, which made it hard for Scott to land any punches. Jamal was suppose to compete against a young man from Canada for the championship belt but the boxer never showed up and Jamal won the championship bout by walk over bringing home the 141 lbs belt for a second year in a row.

The rest of the boxers all did extremely well. Francisco Solis-Noyola, Jr. had a tough bout in the semi-finals. He competed against Ray Ximeniz from Dallas, TX. This young man just would not stop coming and no matter what Francisco threw Ray would walk right through it. Ray was able to smuther Francisco’s punches by staying in close to Francisco, which worked and cost Francisco the bout. Gene boxed for the first time at the Ringside tournament. He had a tough bout but he handle his own threw out the entire bout. He lost the bout by decision but was excited that he finally had the opportunity to compete and can’t wait until his next boxing match. Jonathon Perez boxed at a different weight class. He competed at 125 lbs, which is much heavier then he is use to. He also had to compete against a boxer that had a very different style, which threw Jonathon off of his game plan. He lost his bout by decision also. Jonathon is now concentrating on the 2008 National Police Athletic League tournament in October. Baca Hill had his first amateur bout at the Ringside tournament. His opponent was much taller and had a longer reach. It didn’t stop Baca from moving forward and being the aggressor of the bout. He did his best landing as many scoring blows as possible but it wasn’t enough to win the bout and he lost on decision. Victor also had a tough opponent. The young man was fast and slick, which was making it hard for Victor to catch him and land any scoring blows. Victor also lost his bout by decision.

The entire team did extremely well. They all trained hard for the tournament and gave it their all in their bouts. The team will be back in training for the upcoming 2008 National PAL tournament in Oxnard, CA the first week in October as well as the State Silver Gloves tournament.

2008 Best Ringside World Tournament Bout

Well I apologize to everyone. I thought I would be able to keep everyone updated on a daily basis on the progress of our amateur boxers but unfortunately I was extremely busy throughout the entire tournament and didn’t get a chance to even open my laptop.

We all made it back home safely yesterday, Sunday Aug. 10th. The Circle team did great again this year. We took 9 amateur boxers to compete in the 2008 Ringside World tournament: Jamal James, Javontae Starks, Jonathon Perez, Francisco Solis-Noyola, Jr., Victor Solis-Noyola, Gene Lawson, Anthony Thoen, Baca Hill and Asa “Uncle Skeets” Grigsby. The coaches were Sankara Frazier and Adonis Frazier. The team managers were Sierra Leone Samuels and Elba Aorroyo. Sierra Leone was also assigned as a Ring Captain for the tournament and was an official in the tournament.

The best boxing match out of the team was Uncle Skeets. He competed at the age of 66 in the 178 lbs Master Division against John Disterdick who was well over 6′ tall. Uncle Skeets boxed 3 – 1 minute rounds against John. The entire place was gathered around the ring to watch these two Master Boxers compete. The bell rang to begin the first round and Uncle Skeets came out looking like he has been boxing forever. He was popping his jab, throwing combinations and slipping those long punches that John was throwing at him. John was aggressive coming at Uncle Skeets with strong hard jabs but Uncle Skeets was too fast for him, slipping and moving out of the way. The first round ended and the entire place was on their feet cheering and clapping for Uncle Skeets. The second round began and Uncle Skeets was a little tired but was still able to keep moving. He landed some strong jabs and rights to John’s body and head, while moving and slipping John’s punches. The second round ended and again the cheers and applaud became a roar for Uncle Skeets. The third and final round began. Uncle Skeets comes out moving a little slower and a little out of breath. He got caught with a strong, hard jab, which put him on the mat. But Uncle Skeets jumped right back up and began moving and slipping the rest of those punches coming at him. Uncle Skeets lost the bout and won second place in the tournament but you could never tell that from the crowd. The cheers and applaud became thunderous as everyone in the entire place jumped to their feet to give Uncle Skeets a standing ovation. Ron Lyle (5th rated heavy weight contender who fought Muhammad Ali and George Foreman) rushed over to the corner to congratulate Uncle Skeets on such a beautiful performance and accomplishment. Mr. Lyle was so excited he asked Uncle Skeets to take a picture with him. What a boxing match to see and what an accomplishment for Uncle Skeets.